Just watched the this little movie from netflix. I'm not sure what I rated on their system that had them recommend this one to me but they did, I checked it and am glad to have done so. It is nice to see a well acted, be it slow, character driven movie were nothing blows up, there are no fights and no green screen used. John Ratwhatever is outstanding as the older man who has lost what matters most to him, his wife and still has to muddle through his day to day life. One reviewer referred to him as unlikeable which I do not see, he is just left walking through life. The young lady who comes to work for him in his barbershop and shows him that he still has something to give is more then adequate. There is no heavy handed message here, just a little indi movie about people and their lives.
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manofgirth8 January 2010
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Buddy-5128 March 2009"The Village Barbershop" is a modest, unassuming little indie comedy set in the unusual locale of Reno, Nevada.
Art Leroldi (the wonderful John Ratzenberger) is the cantankerous old-school barber whose business has fallen onto such hard times that he is at risk of losing the establishment that he and his recently deceased partner have run for many years. Against his better judgment, he hires a free-spirited young woman (the endearing Shelly Cole) to serve as both his accountant and fellow haircutter at the shop. At first, both Art and his conservative customers have a hard time adjusting to this frightening new-world-order of gender equality, but through her expertise with the scissors and the force of her personality, Gloria eventually manages to win them over to her side.
Given this undeniably slight storyline, it's obvious that this movie was never going to exactly set the world on fire - but within the admittedly humble parameters that he's set for himself, writer/director Chris Ford has succeeded in creating a sweet and amusing regional comedy filled with sparkling performances and generous dollops of local color. Ratzenberger and Cole have charm and likability to spare, and their scenes together are played with understated warmth and humor. Their performances alone compensate for the occasional overindulgence in indie-brand quirkiness and feel-good sentimentality.
A minor film but an enjoyable one. -
mathewalmaden14 March 2008This film tied for the audience award at Cinequest and this film was one of four films I managed to catch while at the festival. It's a decent little flick and the acting was fine, but for some reason every time I watch John Ratzenberger I can't help but think about Cliff from Cheers. Shelly Cole did an amazing job and I always liked her from Gilmore Girls. The story is supposed to take place in Reno, Nevada but the filmmakers use parts of Napa Valley to double which I could always tell which location they we're shooting in. In the end, it was just alright and semi- entertaining. The average film goer will probably like it.
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"Cheers" alumni John Ratzenberger stars as Art Leroldi, a grumpy barber who holds some personal issues of his past a bit too closely. When troubled times come, he is forced to hire Gloria, a female - something he never thought he'd do. Although she comes across a bit brashly at first, she ends up being his business mind that might save the day. Enter other characters along the way, that both add and disparage each of them, and the tale keeps the viewer watching. The filming was done well. The story is interwoven with subplots, and moves ahead at a good pace. The characters are interesting, and each has their own tale to tell, while intertwining with each other. For a first effort, director/writer Chris Ford strikes a winner with this piece. Expect great things in the future. Don't miss this flick though.
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This movie is a real gem that is making its way through the festival circuit as of Spring 2008. It is a feature length film about second chances in life - well acted with a nice musical score, solid story with a nice ending! John Ratzenberger does a fine job of portraying the quite dignity of the barber (Art Leroldi). Shelly Cole is fabulous as Gloria MacIntyre and I would hope to see more of her on screen. The paring of these two actors in this movie worked very well as it gave us a story and character that fit together perfectly. Cliff Traiman did a fine job as Cinematographer as did the post production audio and music artists.
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I remember John Ratzenberger mainly for his stint on the old 1990s TV series "Cheers." A seasoned actor with both TV and movie credits, of late he has supplied his voice to characters in many fine animated movies.
Here he is perfect as the low key Art Leroldi, 60-ish barber in the Reno area Village Barbershop. Art is a good barber, but he has never gotten over the love of his life and doesn't do much with his free time, except drink beer and play the dogs at lunch.
Still, Art is pretty content until his long-time partner in the barbershop dies suddenly. Not only is his company missed, he had been the bookkeeper for the barbershop and financials is not something Art can deal with. So he quickly gets in trouble with his landlord who is threatening to evict him.
He begins to audition prospective barbers, all quirky types, then Shelly Cole as 30-ish Gloria MacIntyre walks into his life. She is newly pregnant, her truck-driver boyfriend is a real loser type, and she needs a job. She happens to be a licensed hair-cutter but Art doesn't want a woman in his shop. But she also is good with accounting, so Art really needs her.
Houstonian Cindy Pickett, still looking good at 60, is Josie, old friend who now works as a topless waitress at a local night spot. When she and Art meet up again they begin to appreciate each other again.
This is a quiet movie, and Art remains quiet even in difficult situations. The characters meld well and, while not a great movie, is a nice small movie which shows how good people can find each other and make things better for all.
Via Netflix streaming movies. -
Firstly full marks to the art director, camera man & camera crew, as this movie's production and art direction, given the subject matter, are unbelievably brilliant. Also of note is the movie's tasteful soundtrack; and its acting wasn't bad at all.
The main problem with this movie is its screenplay. It sucked. In other words, all the other first class elements of this movie are totally let down by its screenplay and story. In fact, were it not for its most brilliant filming, the movie would scarcely be watchable. The movie's leads have such dire scripts and disengaging characters that it doesn't take long before the viewer is utterly disinterested in what will happen next.
Thus the man who owns the eponymous barbershop is so devoid of anything equating to charm or basic manners that it's hard to swallow the fact that even one other character in the movie would want to have anything to do with him. For his job is supposedly in the service industry and yet I'm reasonably sure there are grave yard attendants who have more soul, charm and warmth. That would be fine, albeit, if the chief barber were at least given an interesting story for us to chew on while we, the viewers, plunder on, watching a man who is described half way through the movie as "a barker not a biter".
Alas, those behind this movie clearly bit off far more than they could chew in developing a movie based on such an unlikeable and disengaging character.
Screenplay 4/10. Filming & art direction 9/10. Soundtrack and music 8/10.